What topics should a personal portfolio site have?

Ok, so I'm presently working on a second version of my own portfolio site (The first was never online, that's another story though) and in the process, I've decided on 4 buttons to guide viewers to different sections of the site. So, the overall layout goes as follows, Mind you this is just an example, so the name isn't final, I just wanted to give you an idea

PaulGanguly.com

Main

Portfolio

Links

Contact

So, those are the links I have on the header of my page, and as it stands right now, anything like a testimonials page wouldn't quite work, being that I haven't done any full websites, but I guess I could include the logos I've done. And even then I guess I'd just include that as a subset of my portfolio section. But, I guess that's about it. I just wanted to get some ideas before I go chopping the whole thing up and slapping it together in dreamweaver. Anyways, if you've got any ideas for anything I could add, lemme know.

And, if anyone knows any good, free hosting sites, lemme know that too. Neither, I nor my parents have credit cards, so free is good. That, and I'm a poor student, so someone throw me a bone.

Alright, Thanks

Well you probably dont really need alot, other then the actual portfolio... some stuff about you... and a way to contact you.

I wouldnt really have a "links" section instead i would have an "about" section, and maybe a link to download your resume would probably be helpful for possible clients to look at.

Other then that I think thats about all you really NEED but extra is sometimes good ;)

About section, services section, etc. No links section. You don't want people leaving your portfolio page.

I would replace the links with section with an about section also.

Unless you're going to the about stuff under contact. Then it's fine.

If you have both photography and graphics, you can make that two different pages. Like a photo portfolio, and a graphics one, or even a websites one.

If its any help...this is the way i set up my personal designs (ive never used them...but if id did these would probably be the links)


Home - (main) (helpful...also works well if you dont have a logo)
About - Describe yourself etc.
Resume - ( in text and/or download format) [or atleast a listing of
your skills and a link to your full resume]
Portfolio - (sub sections of photography..web..video..etc)
Contact - email..phone..fax..voicemail.... whatever....

I also i like to throw in an "experimental" or like a "work in progress" section....just to add a little more work without bloating your portfolio

Also if you have big name clients..or clients your proud of you could add a section listing them.......

Just some ideas

Nice!

Thanks guys. I don't have a launch date set, or a domain secured, but the page is coming along, and the graphics are all compiled for the portfolio section. I definitely wanna include a very brief links section though, just for a few friend's sites, and I dunno if sectionis even the right word. I think it'll be more like 2 links, by the time it's all said and done. I can just put that somewhere outta the way, like at the very bottom of the contact page, and have them read something like, Affiliate Links or something.

Yeah, rodder, I definitely like the experimental/ work in progress idea. I actually 'do' concept art. and by 'do' I mean I make it, but haven't shown any to a studio or anything. Again, I'm just outta high school, in the town that couldn't be any less affiliated with the entertainment industry, despite the fact that it certainly should be. Yeah, in all seriousness, the local graphics market sucks, but to get back to my point, by the time I compiled all of my images, the concept art stuff took up like 60% of te total portfolio section. And, to get back to what rodder said about 'work in progress', everyone always tells me that some of my best stuff is the stuff I never finish, in terms of actual drawings. I could also include the stuff I do on my palm pilot. The Sony Clie paint program ROCKS. I've made some cool stuff, but at something like 320px x 320px, so I could include those. Anyway, I'm not like, forgetting about this post, so if anyone has anything else to add, feel free, like good web hosting, or an easier web design program than Macromedia Dreamweaver. I've heard that Image Ready might be easier, but I'm not real familiar with it, so you could direct me to tuts on that.

Alright everyone, thanks!